Manufacturer : Contour
Model : Contour GPS
ASIN : B00426DQ2W
Price : 349.99$
Last Price : 293.98$(Discount 16.0033143804109%
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OVERVIEW:
I own the Contour GPS (C-GPS = 1080p) and Contour HD (C-HD = 720p). Primary use - capturing HD snowboarding footage in conditions varying from blue bird sunny days to snowy flat light days.
VIDEO QUALITY: (5 out of 5)
The Contour GPS (C-GPS) features some much needed improvements over its predecessor, especially when capturing footage in low light conditions. Where the C-HD's video quality suffered on overcast/snowy days, the C-GPS excels. Subtle details in terrain (fresh vs tracked snow, etc.) are now clearly visible. 1080p HD video quality is excellent, and looks great on my 52" LCD TV.
PORTABILITY / EASE OF USE: (5 out of 5)
The C-GPS is the same size and shape as the original C-HD helmet cam, with the exception of the record toggle switch which now sits a few millimeters higher for easier operation. A welcomed improvement especially when wearing gloves/mitts. Turn the camera on, and two red laser sights light up to aid in lens alignment. Three lights on the unit - a battery light, memory card light, and GPS light - help identify if your battery is dead, memory is full, or GPS signal is locked.
Heads up on memory card compatibility. The C-GPS is finicky about what brand, class, and size of micro sdhc cards used; and how you format your cards. For example, I bought a 32gb Class 4 Kingston card off newegg that works like a charm; however neither my 8gb Class 6 Transcend or my 8gb Class 2 Sandisk work. Also, my Kingston card only works if formatted by the camera (not my computer).
DESIGN QUALITY: (4 out of 5)
As with previous Contour helmet cams, the design remains virtually unchanged. The body is made of aluminum and plastic. The camera attaches to various plastic mounts (two flat mounts and one goggle mount included inside the package) using Contour's "T-rail system".
My biggest gripe is the T-rails are made of plastic, rather than aluminum. The plastic T-rails are a weak link and could be susceptible to breaking. I wish Contour would have upgraded the T-rail material to aluminum on the C-GPS, but hopefully they will get it right on the next one.
BATTERY LIFE: (3 out of 5)
C-GPS battery life is significantly less than the C-HD. When recording on a fully-charged battery, the C-HD lasts about twice as long as the C-GPS. This is likely attributed to the more demanding 1080p bitrate as well as the GPS function. In my application I typically record approximately 60 minutes worth of footage before the battery runs out on my C-GPS; while the C-HD records approximately 110 minutes worth of footage on a full charge. Note these figures are based on extreme operating conditions where freezing temperatures greatly affect battery life. In any event, buy extra batteries... you'll be glad you did.
Another battery-related gripe is the mechanism which keeps the battery in place. The previous Contour models used a locking latch to keep the battery from accidentally popping out; however the new model uses a new 'hook' mechanism which can be cumbersome. This is discussed in greater detail on Contour's support forums.
GPS: (4 out of 5)
GPS accuracy may be questionable, but it's a nice feature and a step in the right direction for helmet cams. I typically get a GPS lock within 3-minutes of power up, even on overcast or snowy days. The light on the front of the camera blinks green as a satellite lock is being acquired, and turns solid green within a few minutes once GPS signal has been acquired.
STORYTELLER SOFTWARE: (3 out of 5)
Prior to the latest software update, I would've rated Contour's Storyteller Software a 1/5. Their software is buggy and unstable, particularly on mac machines. However, the latest update addresses stability issues; and tackles one of the biggest gripes in the Contour community - accessibility of the GPS information without having to upload to their servers. Suffice to say, their software team has some major catching up to do with their hardware team.
Contour also scores an extra point for support; and they continually push out firmware and software updates which can potentially add some pretty cool features in the near future (C-GPS bluetooth connection to iOS or android smartphone which will allow the phone to act as a viewfinder - displaying what your C-GPS sees in real-time. Another added benefit: on-the-fly camera adjustments via your smartphone bluetooth connection).
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall, I recommend seriously considering this product if you're in the market for a helmet cam to capture HD footage while snowboarding. This model raises the bar for future helmet cams and I am glad that I upgraded from my old C-HD. I may have a few minor gripes, but IMHO, it is currently the best HD Helmet Cam offering in terms of video quality, portability, and features at its price point.
I purchased the Contour GPS, along with the newly available connect-view card, for a safari trip in Africa. I also purchased a spare battery.
There are some major design flaws that quickly became apparent.
THE "HIDDEN BUTTON"-- I suspect this design flaw is not yet called out because the use of the "hidden button" is quite new. You can now add a "Connect View" card to the Contour GPS which gives it bluetooth capability, and thus the ability to link to an iPhone so that the phone can be used as a viewfinder. This is a very cool feature and it worked just fine. The problem is that to activate the bluetooth, you press on a "hidden button", which is just a button located underneath a plastic top layer. That's the problem. The plastic top layer is very weak, and after I pressed the hidden button only 5 times, the plastic started to crack. This is completely unacceptable and a major problem, as it obviously allows water and moisture to penetrate the camera, not to mention the problem of having an ugly, cracked top of the camera after initial use. The hidden button was only sparingly used before this bluetooth capability was added, so I suspect you will start seeing many reviews highlighting this defect.
THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY DESIGN-- This was also a major design flaw that I'm not sure how was overlooked. I purchased a backup battery, which of course means that it has to be swapped out with the main battery. After pulling out the main battery only 2 times, another design flaw emerged. The battery clasp rubs against the side of the battery, and the top cover of the battery is a very flimsy, glued on piece of plastic. The clasp catches on it and peels it off almost immediately. I thus ended up with 2 batteries with detached covers, with each only being inserted and replaced a total of maybe 5 times. If the covers fall off, the battery doesn't seat properly and doesn't work, so you can't just get rid of the covers. If you're not switching out the battery, this defect won't be apparent, but for anyone looking to supplement the very mediocre battery life of this unit, you're in for a disappointing discovery.
PROS:
The angle of view is very good and captures a huge swath. Picture quality is pretty good in bright light, but basically useless in low light conditions.
The "connect view" feature is very cool (albeit a bit buggy at this time).
Overall construction, with the exception of the hidden button and the battery, is good.
The camera is compact, light, and sleek.
CONS:
The battery life is terrible, especially with GPS activated. You might get 90 minutes of standby with GPS on. Maximum of about 2 hours with it turned off.
Design flaws as discussed above.
This WILL be a great product someday, but I can't recommend it until the hidden button, battery cover, and battery life issues are addressed.
However: There is a KNOWN problem with the video quality. Contour is baffled and there is no reason to believe they will fix it before you lose your ability to return the device. I would absolutely not buy this camera until they fix this. As Amazon will nto allow us to post links, just go to the Contour customer support area and read the long thread about this camera.
We had to return 3 of these to Amazon.
1) Could not upgrade firmware - USB port problem
2) The battery clip broke off (a common issue)
3) Video quality was horrible (a common issue)
Thankfully Amazon's polices are AWESOME about returns. There is a reason why you buy big ticket items from Amazon.
Ken
Friday, November 18, 2011
GoPro HD Surf HERO Camera
Manufacturer : GoPro Camera
Model : CHDSH-001
ASIN : B002VA59DK
Price : 269.99$
Last Price : 264$(Discount 2.21860068891441%
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Product DescriptionIncludes easy-to-apply mounts for attaching camera housing to surfboards, paddleboards, etc. Impact-resistant housing is waterproof to 180 ft
Developed for the consumer and proven by professionals, GoPro's all-new HD HERO cameras are the world's most advanced line of waterproof, full HD 1080p cameras designed to be used during sports. With amazing clarity, stability, and slow-motion capabilities, these cameras record your sport's most exciting moments in professional quality HD video and automatically-captured 5 megapixel still photos.
HD HERO cameras can shoot video or photos from your point-of-view, mounted on your surfboard, helmet, body, car, motorcycle, or other equipment. And GoPro's 170° wide-angle lens (the industry's widest) lets you take shots of yourself while surfing or doing other activities. All captured hands-free, while you stay focused on your sport. The cameras feature a quick-release mounting design, making it easy to mount the cameras in many different locations for a variety of angles and a stunning professional look.
Originally designed for the consumer market, GoPro's wearable cameras have garnered praise from professional athletes as well as film and TV producers who demand convenience and performance from their filming equipment. The HD HERO line produces higher quality HD video than action sports cameras costing ten times as much, and as a result many video segments you see in action sports film and TV today are shot on GoPro cameras. As the #1 maker of wearable sports cameras in the world, GoPro has years of experience in developing cameras and mounting accessories for the most hardcore of sports. As a result, GoPro has won many coveted awards, including Motorcyclist magazine's prestigious "2009 Product of the Year" award and the "Editors' Choice Award" from both Popular Mechanics and Backpacker Magazine.
The only reason I have not given it a full 5 stars is the difficulty in reading the small status screen with all the various modes it has. The same issue I have with the standard definition HERO. The icons that tell you if you are in burst, still, timed, or video mode are very small across the top of the display. The numbers to tell you the number of pictures or videos taken are much larger. It is just difficult if you have the camera mounted on top of your helmet and you try and look in the mirror on your bike to see if the camera is on and what mode it is. You have to use the select button on the front to both turn the camera on and select the right mode. The shutter button is on top and is easy to operator even with gloves. It is not difficult to read the display if you are holding the camera in front of you, but much more difficult when mounted on top of your helmet. You can unclip the camera from the mount, but that can be difficult when it is on top of your helmet.
I am looking forward to the expansion port options being available, like the LCD screen to view the videos in the field. I am also thinking of investing in the chest strap mount so I can get different view over the handle bars as will as making it easier to see the small status display. Other than the small icons telling you which mode, this is a very nice camera that takes very high quality action videos. It is very small and light and easy to use when you have it in the right mode. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone wanting action videos of their bicycling, motorcycle, or skiing activities.
The pros:
Video is awesome, in all of the modes.
Stills are very good quality, the timelapse feature is fantastic.
It's waterproof.
The mounting options are (almost) limitless.
The cons:
It's awkward to set up. Menu is like something from 20 years ago.
Firmware issues have yet to be addressed by the manufacturer. This is inexcusable as the camera has been available for sale for nearly a year.
Audio is useless. They could have saved weight and cost by just not including a mic. The only instance where it even sort of works is when mounted right near a loudish sound you want to highlight, such as an engine.
There are too many instances where "Macgyvering" is required to get the desired result. The quick release mount rattles so you need to tape the base plate, the non waterproof back allows too much wind noise, so you need to tape over the openings, the shutter button rattles, so you need to tape over that. Moral of the story: BUY TAPE.
The support by the manufacturer is not quite adequate. I realize it's a small start up company, but for all the issues with the use of the camera and the handling/editing of the files, they really need to release some conclusive videos or articles to address these concerns.
People who might find this camera useful:
Auto racing enthusiasts
Mountain Bikers
Sailors
Hobbyist videographers looking for those unique shots
People who will likely be disappointed and frustrated by this camera:
Pretty much anyone who thinks they'll be using it as a camcorder.
People who aren't really tech savvy and/or have an older computer
People who don't like to tinker and engineer solutions to make it do what they want.
******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE*******
As of September 7, 2010, Gopro released the new firm ware for the camera. It seems to have fixed most of the bugs/issues. It also provides the option for upside down mounting.
Pros: The camera has four modes - video (in several resolutions), still pictures, self-timer still pictures, and interval photos (pictures every few seconds). The lens gives a tremendously wide wild view which is nice for HD's 9:16. It will shoot 1080p, 960p 720p (at 30 and 60 frames per second), and 480 (at 60 frames per second) line resolutions. It uses standard SDHC memory cards and has an internal battery which recharges via a USB cable. The recorded audio is very good both inside and outside of the motor sports waterproof case that came with my kit. Video is relatively good, not as vivid as a dedicated camcorder but the resolution is good. My kit came with a variety of mounts and a suction cup mount for windows and car body use. The waterproof case comes with two backs, one that is watertight and one that is not for better audio when waterproof use isn't required. The kit comes with connectors for connecting the camera up to an HDTV monitor (component video) or a TV monitor (composite video). A neat feature in the menu is that you can flip both the video and still photos so you can shoot with the camera upside down without a problem.
Cons: The quick release mounts have a bit of wiggle to them. The back of the waterproof case can be difficult to lock closed. The menu system is a bit troublesome to use as there are only two buttons and three LCD characters to use. Once set you'll not have to go into the menu very often.
Future: There's a connector on the rear that GoPro plans on using for an external battery or a monitor. Neither are available at the time of this review but they are being worked on.
In use on the trail the mounts worked very well. I used the suction cup primarily to mount the camera to my windshield, bumper, side body panel, and side window. Across rugged rocky trails the camera held firm and the video came out very well. The simple interface was easy enough to use. One button to turn the camera on and select the mode and another to stop and start the recording.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wasabi Power Battery and Charger Kit for GoPro AHDBT-001 and GoPro HD Hero Cameras
Manufacturer : Wasabi Power
Model : KIT-BTR-GoPro-LCH-GoPro-01
ASIN : B005NC8BF6
Price : $
Last Price : 22.99$(Discount %
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Product DescriptionThe Wasabi Power battery and charger kit includes 2 batteries and one charger with a European plug and car adapter. All items meet or exceed OEM standards and come with a 3-year manufacturer warranty. Compatible with the following part numbers: AHDBT-001
Pro's:
Half the price
Last Longer
Fit better (no hassle to insert or remove)
Con's:
?
If you need another battery get the Wasabi! If you order the kit with 2 batteries and charger for $21.99 you get a deal. Each battery is 10.99 so x2 = 21.98, so you basically get a charger for $0.01. And the charger hooks up to a wall outlet, or your car! For a penny! It's like 4.95 shipping... unless you order one more battery to get over 30$ in the sellers (blue nook) sale and shippings free, so it's like getting another battery for 5$ more! So you get 3 better than stock go pro batteries and a charger for the car and home for 30$. Why the heck not?! That's what I did and now all I'll have to worry about is having enough memory cards lol! The stock batteries are 20$ each! And the guys over at blue nook even called to make sure I got the package and that everything was ok. Who does that anymore? I don't think I could have gotten better service. I really don't review my amazon purchases either but I got such a great deal and service that I just had to. Happy video shootings everyone!
Blue Nook shipped the item very quickly and it was exactly as described.
Friday, November 11, 2011
GoPro Lens Replacement Kit for HERO Wide Cameras
Manufacturer : GoPro Camera
Model : GLK5170
ASIN : B002VPDK7M
Price : 19.99$
Last Price : 15.72$(Discount 21.3606803401701%
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Product DescriptionLens Replacement Kit comes with two replacements for the wide-angle glass lens covers, which used on all wide-angle HERO housings. Compatible with all Wide Angle GoPro cameras including the Helmet HERO Wide, Motorsports HERO Wide, Surf HERO, and WIDE HERO cameras. Not compatible with Standard Angle cameras.
2 Rubber O-Rings 6 Screws 1 Screwdriver Specifications - Construction - glass Hardware - stainless steel Manufacturer's 1-year warranty
This is not about fixing your GoPro case, the replacement lenses are "consumable" along the lines of Gaff Tape etc.
It is impossible to avoid chipping the GoPro case lens. unless you simply don't care about the video quality, this is the answer, the replacement lenses are something like $10 a pop take about 30 seconds to replace and guarantee you capture crisp and contrasty images. I have no idea why people would not check lenses before each shoot, and replace if required, the amount of money we spend putting these little cameras in the right place for great action shots make the cost of fresh lenses pale in comparison. It is simply not worth shooting a expensive shot with a chipped lens.
Replacing these are easy, if you are a frequent flyer get a couple of them, each pack ship with a screw-driver and replacement screws, simply stuff the pack in the camera kit and forget until you chip the next GoPro... and you probably will just when you have the most fun.
Don't ask - just do it.! You need these if you are at all pushing your GoPro. (and yourself)
Monday, November 7, 2011
GoPro Suction Cup Mount for HERO Cameras
Manufacturer : GoPro Camera
Model : GSC30
ASIN : B0014F9H4K
Price : 29.99$
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Product DescriptionShoot the most obscure angles possible when you use the GoPro Suction Cup Mount to attach your GoPro HD Hero camera to your boat, car, or motorcycle. An industrial-strength suction cup (think British spy gear) and easily adjustable mounting system allow you to safely secure your camera to any flat, smooth surface. Not convinced? This mount withstood speeds up to 135mph when tested on GoPro's F1000 race car.
Product Features
- Material: polycarbonate, stainless steel
- Dimensions:
- Zoom Length:
- Effective Focal Length:
- Field of View:
- Video Size:
- Video Formats:
- Video Processor:
- Sensor:
- Resolution:
- Photo Formats:
- Megapixles:
- Memory:
- Frame Rates:
- Battery Type:
- ISO Range:
- LCD Size:
- Manual Exposure:
- Manual Focus:
- Mic Type:
- Operating System:
- PC Connection:
- Attachment Type:
- Weight:
- Recommended Use: cars, boats, motorcycles, flat surfaces
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year manufacturer warranty
Saturday, November 5, 2011
GoPro Grab Bag of Mounts for HERO Cameras
Manufacturer : GoPro Camera
Model : AGBAG-001
ASIN : B003U6Y1OC
Price : 19.99$
Last Price : 12.25$(Discount 38.7193596798399%
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Product DescriptionWhen you reach a creative ceiling in your GoPro filmmaking, get the GoPro Grab Bag to help attach your Hero or HD Hero camera to different pieces of gear. Mix up your angles while shooting and get rarely seen points-of-view when you attach these extra mounting parts to one curved surface (like a helmet) and one flat surface (like a ski or board). Then just secure your camera to the mount and do your thing.
Product Features
- Material: polycarbonate, stainless steel
- Dimensions:
- Zoom Length:
- Effective Focal Length:
- Field of View:
- Video Size:
- Video Formats:
- Video Processor:
- Sensor:
- Resolution:
- Photo Formats:
- Megapixles:
- Memory:
- Frame Rates:
- Battery Type:
- ISO Range:
- LCD Size:
- Manual Exposure:
- Manual Focus:
- Mic Type:
- Operating System:
- PC Connection:
- Attachment Type:
- Weight:
- Recommended Use: cars, boats, motorcycles, flat surfaces
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year manufacturer warranty
If you're patient with a hairdryer, they can be removed without leaving any reside or taking off any paint. But be forewarned: These suckers have a strong grip. If carefully removed, the adhesive pads can be used again or I've heard that replacements ordered from GoPro.
The silicone anti-rattle wedge only works with the basic mount and not with any of the raised mounts such as the helmet mount so perhaps a redesign might be in order on that front.
The smooth plastic in the adjustable arms doesn't allow for tight locking of the joints and I find they are still able to move about. I've taken to them with sandpaper to roughen the surface a little and this seems to work well in locking them without having to over-tighten the bolt.
Friday, November 4, 2011
GoPro HD Naked HERO Camera
Manufacturer : GoPro Camera
Model : CHDNH-001
ASIN : B0030ZESEQ
Price : 259.99$
Last Price : 248$(Discount 4.61171583522444%
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Product DescriptionGoPro's HD HERO Naked is the world's highest performance wearable 1080p HD video and still photo camera. Professional quality 1080p / 960p / 720p HD resolutions record at 30 and 60 frames per second (60 fps in 720p). Record up to 2.5 hours on a single charge and up to 9 hours total on a 32GB SD card (not included).
The only reason I have not given it a full 5 stars is the difficulty in reading the small status screen with all the various modes it has. The same issue I have with the standard definition HERO. The icons that tell you if you are in burst, still, timed, or video mode are very small across the top of the display. The numbers to tell you the number of pictures or videos taken are much larger. It is just difficult if you have the camera mounted on top of your helmet and you try and look in the mirror on your bike to see if the camera is on and what mode it is. You have to use the select button on the front to both turn the camera on and select the right mode. The shutter button is on top and is easy to operator even with gloves. It is not difficult to read the display if you are holding the camera in front of you, but much more difficult when mounted on top of your helmet. You can unclip the camera from the mount, but that can be difficult when it is on top of your helmet.
I am looking forward to the expansion port options being available, like the LCD screen to view the videos in the field. I am also thinking of investing in the chest strap mount so I can get different view over the handle bars as will as making it easier to see the small status display. Other than the small icons telling you which mode, this is a very nice camera that takes very high quality action videos. It is very small and light and easy to use when you have it in the right mode. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone wanting action videos of their bicycling, motorcycle, or skiing activities.
The pros:
Video is awesome, in all of the modes.
Stills are very good quality, the timelapse feature is fantastic.
It's waterproof.
The mounting options are (almost) limitless.
The cons:
It's awkward to set up. Menu is like something from 20 years ago.
Firmware issues have yet to be addressed by the manufacturer. This is inexcusable as the camera has been available for sale for nearly a year.
Audio is useless. They could have saved weight and cost by just not including a mic. The only instance where it even sort of works is when mounted right near a loudish sound you want to highlight, such as an engine.
There are too many instances where "Macgyvering" is required to get the desired result. The quick release mount rattles so you need to tape the base plate, the non waterproof back allows too much wind noise, so you need to tape over the openings, the shutter button rattles, so you need to tape over that. Moral of the story: BUY TAPE.
The support by the manufacturer is not quite adequate. I realize it's a small start up company, but for all the issues with the use of the camera and the handling/editing of the files, they really need to release some conclusive videos or articles to address these concerns.
People who might find this camera useful:
Auto racing enthusiasts
Mountain Bikers
Sailors
Hobbyist videographers looking for those unique shots
People who will likely be disappointed and frustrated by this camera:
Pretty much anyone who thinks they'll be using it as a camcorder.
People who aren't really tech savvy and/or have an older computer
People who don't like to tinker and engineer solutions to make it do what they want.
******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE******* ******UPDATE*******
As of September 7, 2010, Gopro released the new firm ware for the camera. It seems to have fixed most of the bugs/issues. It also provides the option for upside down mounting.
Pros: The camera has four modes - video (in several resolutions), still pictures, self-timer still pictures, and interval photos (pictures every few seconds). The lens gives a tremendously wide wild view which is nice for HD's 9:16. It will shoot 1080p, 960p 720p (at 30 and 60 frames per second), and 480 (at 60 frames per second) line resolutions. It uses standard SDHC memory cards and has an internal battery which recharges via a USB cable. The recorded audio is very good both inside and outside of the motor sports waterproof case that came with my kit. Video is relatively good, not as vivid as a dedicated camcorder but the resolution is good. My kit came with a variety of mounts and a suction cup mount for windows and car body use. The waterproof case comes with two backs, one that is watertight and one that is not for better audio when waterproof use isn't required. The kit comes with connectors for connecting the camera up to an HDTV monitor (component video) or a TV monitor (composite video). A neat feature in the menu is that you can flip both the video and still photos so you can shoot with the camera upside down without a problem.
Cons: The quick release mounts have a bit of wiggle to them. The back of the waterproof case can be difficult to lock closed. The menu system is a bit troublesome to use as there are only two buttons and three LCD characters to use. Once set you'll not have to go into the menu very often.
Future: There's a connector on the rear that GoPro plans on using for an external battery or a monitor. Neither are available at the time of this review but they are being worked on.
In use on the trail the mounts worked very well. I used the suction cup primarily to mount the camera to my windshield, bumper, side body panel, and side window. Across rugged rocky trails the camera held firm and the video came out very well. The simple interface was easy enough to use. One button to turn the camera on and select the mode and another to stop and start the recording.